After School Arts

After School Arts provides skill-building art classes to more than 600 Kindergarten through 9th graders annually through partnerships with St. Paul Public Schools and recreation centers. The after-school hours are a rich and vital time for providing challenging and exciting artistic experiences that complement regular classroom instruction.

Experienced teaching artists create rich learning environments, allowing children to explore artistic interest in a variety of creative and imaginative ways. Classes are designed to meet the specific needs of each after school program. Dance classes explore African, hip-hop, ballet, Hmong, Chinese, Azteca, and modern styles. Interdisciplinary classes in cultural and traditional art forms, visual arts, theater, music and spoken word are also offered.

The range of styles, topics, and mediums offered reflects ESAC’s commitment to improving cross-cultural competencies and understanding in youth, creating access to high-quality arts programming, and engaging students in challenging arts activities that go beyond “art for art’s sake.”

Shown to improve school attendance and attitude towards academics, After School Arts includes a strong academic component supported by the partnering school or organization. ESAC’s work with 21st Century Learning Centers of St. Paul Public Schools has documented that students are truant much less if they are involved in our afterschool arts classes. Many children take the classes several times, developing an appreciation for the arts that motivates them to seek out creative experiences in their middle and high school careers.